Battle of Naseby
Near Naseby, Northamptonshire
What happened
Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell led Parliament's New Model Army against the Royalist army of King Charles I and Prince Rupert. Parliament had created a new professional army, the New Model Army. Near Naseby in Northamptonshire the two armies met, and Parliament's army destroyed the king's main army.
Why it matters
Result: Parliamentarian victory. Leaders: Sir Thomas Fairfax / Oliver Cromwell against Charles I / Prince Rupert. Why it matters: The defeat ended any real hope of a Royalist victory. The king's baggage and private papers were captured and published as a pamphlet called The King's Cabinet Opened, which helped Parliament's cause.
What came next
Charles I did not finally surrender until May 1646.
Did you know?
The captured papers, published as The King's Cabinet Opened, showed the king's own plans for all to read.
Timeline
- 1645 CEParliament creates the New Model Army.
- 14 June 1645 CEThe New Model Army defeats the king at Naseby.
- May 1646 CECharles I surrenders.
- 1660 CEThe New Model Army is disbanded after the Restoration.